Following the U.S. Women’s National Basketball Team winning their eighth straight Olympic gold medal, Team USA star A’ja Wilson was named the women’s Olympic basketball tournament MVP.
Team USA narrowly held off Team France 67-66 in the Olympic Basketball Finals, sealing gold in their eighth straight Olympics. This was the closest of any of the championship games the U.S. has now won, making this win extra sweet.
“It’s amazing. It truly is a dynasty that we have built here at USAB has been incredible,” Wilson said after the win. “And I am so proud of the resilience that my team showed. We could have fumbled it many times, but we pulled through. To say I am a two-time gold medalist, I am so blessed.”
Wilson led Team USA in scoring with 21 points, 13 rebounds, and four blocks in the Finals win, sealing her MVP performance. Wilson scored double-digit points in all of Team USA’s games, including at least 20 points in four of the six games. Overall, Wilson averaged 18.7 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game at the Paris Olympics as she led the team in points, rebounds, steals, blocks, and free throws.
This was the second time Wilson has competed in an Olympic Games, after helping Team USA win gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The United States has won every Olympic gold medal in women’s basketball going back to the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games and currently holds a 61-game win streak. Team USA last lost a game in women’s basketball in Barcelona in 1992, when they finished with the bronze medal.
Wilson takes this MVP trophy from reigning Olympic women’s basketball MVP and Team USA teammate, Breanna Stewart. Stewart was named the MVP for her efforts at the Tokyo Olympics.
It’s unsurprising to see Wilson take home the MVP trophy as the Las Vegas Aces star has been one of the most dominant players in the WNBA. Wilson is a two-time WNBA champion, having led the Aces to back-to-back championships titles over the last two seasons. She was the WNBA Finals MVP for both of those victories.
The 6-foot-4 center is also a two-time WNBA MVP, two-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, three-time WNBA blocks leader, and a six-time WNBA All-Star.
If she remains the dominant player she is, Wilson will be a favorite to make the Olympic team again in four years when the Olympics return to Los Angeles. If that happens, she should remain a favorite to win her second straight MVP trophy.
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